Morphological and Morphometric Assessment of the Nasopalatine Canal in Egyptian Population Using CBCT

Ibrahim, Martina Maged; Riad, Dalia; Salem, Walid S

doi:10.21608/asdj.2025.327248.1574

Morphological and Morphometric Assessment of the Nasopalatine Canal in Egyptian Population Using CBCT

Document Type : Original articles

Authors

¹ Oral Medicine, Periodontology, Oral Diagnosis and Dental Radiology, Faculty of Oral and Dental Medicine, Sphinx University.

² Oral Biology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

³ Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, Egypt

10.21608/asdj.2025.327248.1574

Abstract

Aim: To assess the morphology and anatomy of the nasopalatine canal (NPC) in axial, sagittal, and coronal sections and determine the impact of age and gender on the shape and anatomical variations of the NPC in the Egyptian population using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). To prevent any possible complications in this area.
Materials and methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study involves 200 subjects (100 male and 100 female patients aged 20 to 70 years) sample allocation into five groups. The NPC morphology and anatomic variations were evaluated in sagittal, coronal, and axial sections, and the variables obtained were statistically analyzed.
Results: In the sagittal section, no significant differences in NPC shape across age groups(p=0.073), with the cylindrical shape being the most common. Gender differences were significant for NPC length, SF, and MP widths, with males having larger measurements, but no difference was found in NPC shape. In coronal sections, no significant age-related differences for IF, MP, or SF widths or NPC shape, with the single (A) shape being predominant. Gender differences were only significant for MP width, with males showing a larger mean. In axial sections, no significant differences were found in the shape or number of SF (p=0.667 and 0.923, respectively), with the oval shape and one foramen being most common across all age groups and genders.
Conclusion: NPC exhibits a wide range of possible variants with different prevalences. Knowledge of these differences could reduce the frequency of any complication during dental procedures or facial surgery in the anterior maxilla.

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